The fifth-annual 40 Under 40 Awards program will yet again distinguish 40 business leaders not yet 40 years old who are helping ensure the economic future of Fairfield County.
“They”™re going to be our business leaders tomorrow, so it”™s very important to recognize them now,” said Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. “I think it”™s important that young people working their way up realize their hard work and what they”™re doing is being recognized. This is even more critical in today”™s environment, as we work our way through this very turbulent economic time.”
The awards will be presented at a reception and awards ceremony on Thursday, June 18, at the University of Connecticut Stamford Center.
“This is the competition of the year in Fairfield County; it brings out the best of the best,” said Barbara Stewart Hanlon, associate publisher of the Fairfield County Business Journal, one of more than a dozen business organizations and chambers of commerce partnering in the annual event. “Many nominations are submitted each year. The nominees are judged based on their abilities to be, among other things, innovative and resourceful. I think that this year”™s challenging economic climate will show another dimension of the nominees, resilience.”
Condlin said high-achieving individuals in the area networking together is benefit No.1.
“It also encourages younger people to stay here in the county, not to leave our area,” said Condlin. “We”™re dealing with a youth drain in the county because it”™s expensive to live here, and it”™s a competitive world. Fairfield County will be one of the leaders in the Northeast in the economic recovery and they will play an import roll in making this recovery happen. They are needed for our work force of tomorrow.”
“People like to be recognized and it”™s important to the future,” said Mary Ann Morrison, president and CEO of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses are going to be tight right now. With raises and bonuses being frozen, what better way to show your up-and-comers their work is appreciated and acknowledged than a boss nominating them for the 40 under 40?”
Hanlon said the submissions for the award have really started to pour in.
The Fairfield County Business Journal is currently accepting award nominations. The submission deadline is April 17. An online submission form can be found at www.fcbizj.biz.
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